MALLOY, BLUMENTHAL HOLD LEADS IN LATEST Q-POLL

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, the Democratic candidate in the U.S. Senate race, leads Republican former wrestling executive Linda McMahon 54 – 42 percent among likely voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This is virtually unchanged from a 54 – 43 percent Blumenthal lead in an October 14 likely voter survey by Quinnipiac.

In today’s survey, 3 percent are undecided and 6 percent of voters who name a candidate say they could change their mind by Election Day. Blumenthal leads 86 –12 percent among Democrats and 56 – 40 percent among independent voters while McMahon is ahead 85 – 10 percent among Republicans. Women back Blumenthal 61 – 35 percent. Men split, with 49 percent for McMahon and 47 percent for Blumenthal.

“The vote for Connecticut governor and senator is solidifying. There has been little movement in either race in the last two weeks,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD. “Linda McMahon has tried to raise Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s negatives over the last several weeks, but she hasn’t been successful. He remains popular, but McMahon’s own negatives have risen above 50 percent. One has to wonder if over the last few weeks McMahon would have been better off spending more of her millions on positive ads.” By a 55 – 39 percent margin, likely voters have a favorable opinion of Blumenthal. McMahon gets a negative 43 – 51 percent favorability, down from a split 46 – 46 percent favorability October 14.

“Throughout the fall campaign Democrat Dan Malloy’s share of the vote has been between 45 and 50 percent, while Republican Tom Foley’s has been stuck between 41 and 43 percent,” Dr. Schwartz added, “While both Democrats remain ahead, Blumenthal is in a stronger position than Malloy. Malloy has a slight lead while Blumenthal has a comfortable lead.”